Last updated: 4 November 2026

You can reach Cape Verde by ship, but only on a cruise, a private yacht or an ad hoc freighter berth, because no scheduled passenger ferry links the islands with Europe or mainland Africa. Once you arrive, ferries connect most of the ten islands. The busiest and most reliable crossing is Mindelo to Porto Novo. Longer routes are slower and less dependable, so plan slack into your trip.

Can you get to Cape Verde by sea from Europe?

Yes, but not on a ferry you can simply book. The archipelago sits in the Atlantic, west of Senegal. Most visitors fly into Sal, Boa Vista or Praia. If you want to arrive by water, you have four real options: a cruise, a yacht rally, crewing on a private yacht, or a cargo ship with spare cabins.

Each option suits a different budget and timescale. Cruises are the simplest. Yachts are the most adventurous. Freighters are the hardest to arrange.

Cruises calling at Cape Verde

Mindelo is now the country’s main cruise port. A new cruise terminal opened there in 2024. Before that, ships anchored off Porto Grande and tendered passengers ashore. The quay is about 400 metres long, with 11 metres of water. It can berth two large ships at once and offers shore power.

November 2026 alone brings a busy line-up to Mindelo:

Ponant’s small-ship “Many Faces of Cape Verde” voyage is the closest thing to a cruise around the islands. It runs for seven nights. Big-ship lines usually include Cape Verde on Canary Islands or transatlantic itineraries. For more on sailing without planes, see our guide to cruises without flying.

Watch: the ferry from São Vicente to Santo Antão

Cargo ships and freighter travel

Passenger-carrying freighters rarely list Cape Verde as a fixed call. Container ships serving West Africa sometimes stop at Praia or Mindelo, but routes change often. If you want this option, ask a specialist agent well ahead. Be flexible on dates and ports.

A practical alternative is to combine a freighter to the region with a short flight. Read our guide to a cargo ship to West Africa for current routes.

Sailing in by yacht

Mindelo is a classic stopover for yachts crossing the Atlantic. The ARC+ rally leaves Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in early November. Boats sail 865 nautical miles to Mindelo. Crews then spend around five to seven days there before heading for the Caribbean.

If you do not own a boat, crew-finding websites and marina noticeboards in the Canaries list berths. Expect to share watches, cooking and costs.

Inter-island ferries in Cape Verde

CV Interilhas runs the main network with four ferries, two of them fast craft. NosFerry also serves the Santo Antão crossing. Smaller operators run single boats, often without fixed timetables.

Fares are indicative and change. Book at cvinterilhas.cv oppure nosferry.cv, or at the port. Online tickets are often released only two to three months ahead.

Which islands to visit by ferry

• São Vicente: Mindelo is the cultural capital and the cruise and yacht hub.
• Santo Antão: green valleys and superb hiking, one hour from Mindelo.
• Santiago: Praia is the capital and the gateway to Fogo.
• Fogo: an active volcano and vineyards, reached from Praia.
• Brava: the smallest inhabited island, a short hop from Fogo.

Watch: Santo Antão and São Vicente

Best time to go

Consigli

1. Book ferries one to two weeks ahead, and earlier around Mindelo Carnival.
2. If a return shows as sold out, search for two one-way tickets.
3. Arrive about 35 minutes before departure; gangways lift about 10 minutes before sailing.
4. Allowance is usually two 25 kg bags plus two 8 kg hand bags.
5. Take seasickness tablets an hour before boarding. See our Guida al mal di mare.
6. Pack a layer; air conditioning on board can be very cold.
7. Keep a buffer day before any flight home, as long routes can be delayed.

Domande frequenti

Sources: capeverde.com ferry guide, The Trip Verdict, CruiseMapper Mindelo schedule, Yacht.de (ARC+), Outlook Travel Magazine, cvinterilhas.cv. Checked November 2026.